Exploring the Shur Tech Brands New Duck Tape and Frog Tape Patterns

The Duck Tape Booth at the CHA Mega Show had this amazing Duck Tape Dress on display.  The dress was made by Michelle Lesniak Franklin for the Project Runway, Episode 7 (Season 11) Duck Tape Prom Dress Challenge.  This particular sixties looking dress was the brightly black, red, and silver hounds tooth patterned design that won the Sticky Situation Challenge.

Project Runway Challenge Winning Design by Michelle Lesniak Franklin

Shur Tech Brands are the folks who manufacture the Duck Tape and
FrogTape  lines.

They also have an a large product line that includes various office supplies.

The Shur Tech booth displayed some fun office supplies ideas of various materials that were covered with patterned Duct Tape, like the folder below.

Did you know that Frog Tape is treated with special polymers that react with latex paint by creating a gel that helps keep paint from bleeding under the frog tape.  This means that you will get a better edge when working with the tape and no paint bleeding through and ruining your work.

This year they released Frog Tape Shape Tapes that make it easier to do special effects while painting. I particularly liked this chevron pattern.  It can be used for many different types of projects.

A sample piece of the Frog Tape Shape Tape

Frog Tape is currently available in three patterns (as well as the traditional straight line) for a nice variety of design options to consider when you are planning your project.  The current shapes available are: Chevron, Wave, and Scallop.  These can be used horizontally, vertically, or diagonally on walls, furniture, and other solid objects.

Below you can see how the tape can be used with stain to create this fun pattern on a piece of wood.

We also got to enjoy Shur Tech's extensive selection of Duck Tape patterns.  They had all these rolls

out and invited us to craft with them. I saw a few people covering their coffee cup sleeve's with Duct 

Tape. The rest of us enjoyed making various types of bracelets. 

Here are a few more patterns, I just love the Despicable Me Minion Duck Tape Pattern and the cherry patterned Duck Tape.

Shur Tech also has these fun Duck Tape Sheets available in a variety of patterns.  These are hand for covering books, home decor projects, and other large square surfaces.

It is hard to see in the photo but the Prism Duck Tape collection is very reflective and has a lovely glitter look that is really pretty in person.

Below is a bracelet that is made entirely of folded pieces of Duck tape in a fun multi colored hounds tooth pattern.

Here is a back view of the bracelet, which closes with a piece of Velcro tape.

They even had a display of how Duct Tape is actually made that was really cool.

Below are some of the more traditional duck tape products that most of us use on a daily basis to do minor repairs at home or for DIY products.

Shur Tech also had a fun display of their new Duck Washi Crafting Tapes in a variety of patterns.

The Washi tape is .75"x240" and is really easy to tear which makes it great for card making and other

Duck Washi Tape

craft projects.  The surface is specifically created to allow the user to write on it, so it can be used for labeling purposes as well. I like the designs and variety that the Duck Washi Tapes come in.  The patterns and colors are vibrant and work well with jewelry design projects.

The Shur Tech Brands has even released a new Duck Tape fabric tape.  It looked pretty neat.  I haven't personally worked with it yet, but I will write a review once I get a hold of some to play with.

What do you make with duck tape?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Halloween & Steampunk Costume Ideas from the Labyrinth Masquerade Ball 2012

The Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball is a great event that is held at the Park Plaza Hotel in Los

Angeles in July. The Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade ball provides costumed guests with the opportunity to take part in the

story line with the Labyrinth masked characters.

The Park Plaza Hotel is a great location for the LOJ ball, as it provides several different

rooms that afford different themes.

There are two ballrooms on the bottom floor and two ballrooms on the upper floor,

which are connected by a wide staircase.  There is also an outdoor ballroom space which is great for those who enjoy an outdoor venue.  Also,  the folks at the LOJ ball turned the parking area behind the hotel into an outdoor picnic area with entertainment and food vendors.

Looking down the Central Staircase

Each year the ball has a slightly different theme that follows a particular story line.

The masked  characters roam from room to room to interact with the guests and

maintain their story line.

All the guests are required to either wear a costume or be in formal dress with a mask.

The theme for this year was a celebration of the "Royal Court of Sypher".  The story line was

unravelled throughout the venue.  Each room had it own theme

and entertainment.

Weaving a magical atmosphere for all to enjoy.

I held off posting pictures of this event in July, so that I could post them in October instead.

I love Halloween, and at this time of year, most folks are planning their costumes for the various

holiday parties and events that take place this time of year.

So here a pictures from the ball to entertain and inspire.

If wearing a mask is a bit of a bother, I found a great video on YouTube on Fablesinfashion's channel for a black lace mask makeup tutorial.







Disclaimer

How to Make A Masquerade or Mardi Gras Type Mask

I needed a last minute mask for the Labyrinth of Jareth Fantasy Masquerade Ball, so I decided to pick through my supplies and make one.

I started with some inexpensive cloth mask blanks that I had purchased at my local craft store.  I painted one black and the other black and gold.

I found a long piece of black lace, cut into two equal pieces and using black thread, I gathered each piece.  

Then I attached the lace to the back of the mask blanks.

A front view of one of the mask with lace attached.

Then I took some trim and attached it to the top of the mask.

And around the eyes.

Then I added an accent at the top of each of the masks.

I found some gold foil and decided to add that to the top of the mask.

I added some black flowers to the gold and black masquerade mask to make a little different from the black one.

The last thing I did was attach the masks to some dowels that I had painted black. The finished masks worked well.  The total cost of these is probably under $7 each.   The starburst emblem in the middle of each mask was around $3 and probably the most expensive item on the mask.  As you can see it is pretty easy to make a masquerade mask and it does not have to be expensive if you make it with items you have on hand.

My friend Annette Elizabeth made this mask from a plastic white mask that she cut up and spray painted.  She made simple changes that came off rather dramatic combined with her costume (I made the wool

hair dreadlocks that she is wearing, which I post directions on later).

Disclosure